Farin Powell's Blog

“An ambitious novel of an Iranian woman’s personal and professional struggles during a time of war and unrest…Powell does a good job of capturing the intense emotions of a very dramatic time…a captivating plot with a well-developed protagonist.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Roxana’s Revolution, a gripping story of individuals caught in events both inexplicable and out of control. We see the characters pulled between desire for something better for their beloved homeland and the growing knowledge that even worse is waiting for them, their friends, and their families. Eventually reality overwhelms, as it always does, even the most fervent hopes.

—John Limbert

When the media frenzy over the hostage crisis of 1979 worsens and anti-Iranian sentiment surges all over the United States, Roxana, a Wall Street attorney has no choice but to return to Iran. During a stop in Paris, she meets Steve Radcliff, an American reporter with a tenacious attraction to her. Back in Tehran, where circumstances are nothing less than volatile, Roxana learns that revolutions while exciting and historic on pages of a book are painful to endure. As one crisis after other spins out of control, the government imposes wearing of a mandatory veil. This harsh revolutionary rule and Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran diminish Roxana’s hope to have a normal life. She rejects Steve’s marriage proposal and refuses to leave Iran with him. But a near- death experience and loss of her freedom in a border- sealed Iran propel her to enter a marriage doomed from its inception.

In this novel, an Iranian woman’s life comes full circle as she takes a journey through Europe, and back to the United States. A dire situation takes Roxana back to Paris where a life-altering surprise is waiting for her.

When she was alive, Catherine O’Keefe never imagined that one day she could watch her own funeral. She was strolling by the lake when she noticed Oliver sitting on the stone bench near the Magic Tree. She had chosen that name for the large magnolia shortly after arriving in Heaven, when Oliver had pushed back some branches and let her watch what was happening on earth. He had done it a few times since, but only let her see events he chose.

“What are you watching?” she asked as she approached him.

“Nothing.” He let go of the tree branch, and it snapped back into place with a shudder of shiny dark-green leaves.

Catherine had been quick, though, and caught a glimpse. “Oh my gosh, those are my kids! You’re watching my funeral? Oh, Oliver, you have to let me watch.”

“Actually,” he said, “I’m watching two funerals.”

“Whose is the second one?”

“His name is David. You’ll meet him soon. He died on the same day you did. And at the same hospital, as a matter of fact.”

“Good. Now that we’re all friends, you can let me watch.” She sat on the bench beside Oliver, playfully bumping him with her hip to nudge him over. She needed a better view of this one.

Oliver moved over and slowly pulled back one of the branches. Catherine craned her neck to get the first glimpse. This was her funeral, for crying out loud.